| 摘要 |
An animal caging system includes a support such as a ducted rack for receiving animal cages at storage locations in a high density arrangement such as for testing laboratories, breeding establishments and the like. Closed cage boxes are received at the locations, each having an air impervious bottom and sidewalls, and a lid with an air permeable membrane on a frame. Complementary water supply fittings are provided on the rear of the cage box and on the rack or support, and are positively lockable and unlockable using a slide actuator that extends from front to the rear of the cage box, preferably being mounted in the frame of the lid. The fittings include male and female connection couplings, the female one having a movable spring biased locking sleeve that controls a radially displaceable body for engaging a groove in the male coupling, and a check valve that is opened by contact with the male coupling when inserted. An extension part of the sleeve extends into the path of the slide actuator, which is spring biased away from the extension part. The slide actuator is accessible from the front side of the cage box and allows the user to release the water hookup from the front side by displacement of the slide actuator against its biasing spring. Thus the water hookup is positive and easily locked or unlocked from the front side of the cage box.
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